[Objective] To compare the effects of Radix Astragali (RA) and triperygium glucosides (TG) on glomerular mesangial cells (GMC) proliferation and interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion. [Methods] GMC were cultured with in-vitro cell culture technology. Serum containing RA and serum containing TG were prepared with serum pharmacological methods. GMC proliferation was detected by methylthiazolyltetrazolium (MTT) assay and IL-6 level by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to evaluate the effect of low-, moderate- and high-dosages of RA-containing serum and TG-containing serum under the condition of GMC over-proliferation. [ Results] Different dosages of RA-containing serum and TG-containing serum inhibited GMC proliferation and IL-6 secretion in a dose-effect manner, and the inhibitory effect of high- and moderate-dosage TG and high-dosage RA was stronger. [Conclusion] Under the condition of in-vitro GMC over-proliferation, RA has the similar inhibitory effects on GMC proliferation and IL-6 secretion with TG. The combined treatment of RA and TG can reduce the dose of TG and probably has an action in increasing effect and reducing toxicity.

Aristolochic Acids ; adverse effects ; Child ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nephrosis ; chemically induced

Objective To evaluate the value of measuring ankle brachial index (ABI) for diagnosing peripheral arterial disease(PAD)compared with conventional digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as the reference standard.Methotis A total of 383 consecutive inpatients (245 male.mean age 64.1 ±11.7 years) underwent both conventional DSA and ABI measurements.Results The rate of statin intervention was 90.9%,ACEI 69.2%,antiplatelet 96.6% and β-blockers 67.9%.The intravascular stenosis was classified into six degrees:normal,<30%,30%-49%,50%-69%,70%-89% and≥90%.Compared to the traditional gold standard (DSA) in diagnosis PDA.the ABI value decreased in proportion to the sevefity of PAD (the ABI value was 1.08±0.11,1.05±0.16,0.99±0.17,0.66±0.24,0.55±0.28 and 0.54±0.00 respectively in the six ranks).There was a significant correlation between DSA and ABI in diagnosis PAD.Conclusion ABI measurement is an accurate and reliable non-invasive altemative to conventional DSA in the assessment of lower extremity arteries in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

OBJECTIVEThe primary goal of our study was to evaluate and predict the epidemiological trend of pneumoconiosis.

METHODSWe established a new database on new-diagnosing cases of pneumoconiosis in Nanjing during 1955-2007. The database was analyzed by using SAS9.1.3 statistical software, Data sequence was stabilized by using the process of differencing. Goodness of Fit Test verified that the residual-error sequence was white noise sequence. We determined the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average models (ARIMA models) as an appropriate model. By Taking advantage of back-substitution model, we predicted new cases of pneumoconiosis during 2008-2012. We then compared the predicted value with the actual value to test and verify the predicting function.

RESULTSWe finally had chosen out ARIMA (2, 1, 0) models to fit the original sequence, which led to the results that the observed values are basically comparable with the predicted values. The past 5-year predicted-value was similar to the actual value. We then built a new model by new cases during 1955-2012, predicting that the trend of pneumoconiosis in the next 5 years will tend to approach plateau with approximately 10∼13 new cases per year.

CONCLUSIONARIMA models is suitable for fitting large sample series of new diagnosed pneumoconiosis over the years and for the predicting the incidence of pneumoconiosis.

China ; epidemiology ; Databases, Factual ; Humans ; Incidence ; Models, Theoretical ; Pneumoconiosis ; epidemiology ; Software

OBJECTIVETo investigate the nutrition status, breast feeding and complementary feeding among children under 2 years of age in Beijing.

METHODSA stratified cluster randomly sampling method was used. After having got the compliance a questionnaire survey was carried out to 422 children < 2 year-old in total 18 districts of Beijing.

RESULTSThe average infant birth weight was 3325 g, the rate of weight (2500 g and > or = 4000 g were 2.8% and 13.0% respectively. The rate of exclusive breast-feeding, partial breast-feeding, bottle-feeding of infant under 4 months was 56.6%, 33.9% and 9.5% respectively. The average weaning time was 7.4 months. The rate of complementary feeding of infant up to 6 months was 99.4%. The average ages for addition of complementary feeding such as cereal, vegetable and fruit, egg, oil, nutrients in rural areas were later than those in urban.

CONCLUSIONIt is important to promote breast feeding and improve complementary feeding by education and intervention.

Bottle Feeding ; statistics & numerical data ; Breast Feeding ; statistics & numerical data ; China ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Food ; statistics & numerical data ; Infant, Newborn ; Nutrition Surveys ; Rural Population ; statistics & numerical data ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urban Population ; statistics & numerical data

Apoptosis ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; metabolism ; Glaucoma ; pathology ; Glutamic Acid ; metabolism ; Humans ; Neuroglia ; pathology ; physiology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; physiology ; Optic Nerve ; physiology ; Optic Nerve Diseases ; pathology ; Retinal Ganglion Cells ; pathology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; physiology

The aim of the study is to establish and evaluate a RNA isothermal transcription-mediated amplification and realtime detection assay (RIARD-MF) for the identification of Mycobacterium fortuitum in clinical isolates.RNA probes and specific primers of reverse transcription and amplification for T7 promoter were designed based on the sequence of M.fortuitum 16S rRNA.The isothermal successive cycles of amplification were performed for real-time detection by using T7 RNA polymerase at 42 ℃.Five non-mycobacterium strains,20 Mycobacterium strains and 259 clinical strains were detected by the established assay to evaluate the specificity and sensitivity,and the results were compared with those of PCR sequencing.In the test of 5 non-mycobacterium strains and 20 Mycobacterium strains,only M.fortuitum was positive,and the remaining 24 strains of bacteria were negative,which was consistent with PCR gene sequencing.The sensitivity and specificity of RIARD-MF reached 60 CFU/mL and 100％.In the test of 259 strains of clinical isolates,5 strains were identified to be M.fortuitum,the remaining 254 strains were not identified to be M.Fortuitum,which was also consistent with PCR gene sequencing.Both the specificity and sensitivity reached up to 100％ in the detection of clinical isolates.It suggested that the RIAR-DMF established in this study is a specific,sensitive,accurate and rapid method for the identification of M.Fortuitum and it may be hopeful for rapid identification of M.fortuitum in clinical isolates.

Objective To investigate the renal protective effect and mechanism of sodium acetate(Ace)on hyperuricemic nephropathy(HN)in mice.Methods Uric acid nephropathy mice model was prepared by intraperitoneal injection of potassium oxonate combined with adenine gavage.Mice were divided into blank control group(0.9％NaCl+0.5％carboxymethyl cellulose sodium),Ace group(200 mmol·L-1 Ace+0.5％carboxymethyl cellulose sodium),model group(0.9％NaCl+350 mg·kg-1 potassium oxonate+70 mg·kg-1 adenine),and experimental group(based on model group with additional 200 mmol·L-1 Ace).Serum and urine uric acid(UA)and serum creatinine(SCr)levels were observed in each group.Real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)was used to detect the expression levels of kidney injury molecule-1(Kim-1)and anti-aging gene Klotho,renal fibrosis markers Collagen Ⅰ and Fibronectin,intestinal inflammation-related factors interleukin-1 β(IL-1 β),and mRNA expression levels of tight junction proteins Zo-1.Results The serum UA levels of blank control group,Ace group,model group,and experimental group mice were(259.52±24.40),(227.71±35.91),(604.06±73.55),and(496.24±30.16)μmol·L-1,respectively;SCr levels were(16.85±0.40),(16.18±0.94),(22.38±1.56),and(19.78±1.43)μmol·L-1;Kim-1 mRNA relative expression levels were 1.04±0.25,1.17±0.28,13.00±2.87,and 4.24±3.92;Klotho mRNA relative expression levels were 1.04±0.15,1.02±0.18,0.43±0.12,and 0.69±0.12;Collagen Ⅰ mRNA relative expression levels were 1.05±0.15,1.02±0.18,3.19±1.09,and 1.61±0.55;Fibronectin mRNA relative expression levels were 1.07±0.18,1.02±0.25,7.86±2.40,and 3.34±2.10;intestinal IL-1β mRNA relative expression levels were 1.00±0.01,1.01±0.03,2.55±0.63,and 1.21±0.28;intestinal Zo-1 mRNA relative expression levels were 1.00±0.07,1.07±0.09,0.54±0.20,and 0.92±0.17.The above indicators in blank control group compared with model group,and experimental group compared with model group,all showed statistically significant differences(P＜0.05,P＜0.01,P＜0.001).Conclusion Sodium acetate can effectively reduce UA levels in HN mice,significantly improve renal injury and fibrosis,and its mechanism may be related to the improvement of intestinal inflammatory response and up-regulation of intestinal Zo-1/Occuludin pathway to reduce intestinal mucosal permeability.

BACKGROUNDBacterial vaginosis (BV) is one of the most common infectious diseases among sexually active women and is associated with the increased acquisition of a variety of sexually transmitted diseases. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of a non-antibiotic sucrose gel against an antibiotic metronidazole gel for the treatment of BV.

METHODSA randomized, double-blinded, multi-center, parallel-group, placebo-controlled phase III clinical trial was conducted at eight hospitals in China. A total of 560 subjects with clinically diagnosed BV were randomly assigned into three groups for vaginally receiving sucrose, metronidazole, and placebo gels, respectively, twice daily for five consecutive days. The efficacy of therapeutic cure, defined as an achievement of both microbiologic cure (a Nugent score of 3 or less) and clinical cure (a resolution of the clinical findings from the baseline visit), was evaluated at the 1st and 2nd test-of-cure (TOC) visits at 7-10 and 21-35 days after the start of treatment, respectively.

RESULTSTherapeutic cure rates for sucrose, metronidazole, and placebo gel groups were 83.13%, 71.30% and 0.92%, at the 1st TOC, and 61.04%, 66.67% and 7.34%, at the 2nd TOC, respectively. While there was no significant difference between the sucrose and metronidazole gel groups at the 2nd TOC (P = 0.305), and sucrose gel was more effective than metronidazole gel at the 1st TOC (P = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONThese findings suggest that sucrose gel restores normal vaginal flora more rapidly than metronidazole gel and can be used as a novel treatment for BV.

Administration, Intravaginal ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Humans ; Metronidazole ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Sucrose ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Vaginosis, Bacterial ; drug therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo report the experience of the surgical treatment of congenital heart diseases (CHD) in pediatric patients with body weight less than 10 kg.

METHODSBetween January 2000 and December 2007, 105 children with CHD, aged 2 months to 3 years and weighing between 3.5 to 10 kg, underwent surgical treatment. Of the 105 patients, 56 were concomitant with moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension or repeated pulmonary infections, and 35 with complex cardiac abnormalities. Operations were performed through median sternotomy with moderate hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass in 88 cases, with normothermic extracorporeal circulation on beating heart in 14 cases, and with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest in 3 cases.

RESULTSThere were 5 early deaths (4.8%). During a follow-up of 2 month to 3 year, 97 survivors with corrective procedure had no late mortality or complications with NYHA class I of cardiac function, excepting 2 cases with little residual shunt. Three survivors with palliative procedure enjoyed higher quality of life.

CONCLUSIONSThe surgical treatment of CHD in pediatric patients with body weight less than 10 kg seems to be feasible and safe, with satisfactory early and long-term results.

Body Weight ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; methods ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; mortality ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Male